All the victims, including women and children, were members of the same family, said a provincial spokesman. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

And in Kabul, a suicde car bomber struck a NATO convoy and according to initial reports at least one civilian was wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

On Thursday a group of Taliban suicide bombers stormed a judicial complex Thursday in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens of others. Afghan security forces killed some attackers, while other assailants blew themselves up during the siege that lasted for over six hours.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the raid, saying it was meant to avenge “mistreatment of prisoners” in jails across the country and failure of the judicial system to prevent them.

The escalation of militant violence comes as the traditional "spring fighting" season is about to begin.

The United Nations expressed concern over the violence.

"These incidents highlight once again the tragic reality that it is Afghan civilians who bear the brunt of the reckless use of violence," said the U.N. Secretary General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Nicholas Haysom.